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Apple has released watchOS 27.0.1, a software update targeted only at Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 devices. According to Apple's release notes, the update addresses a bug causing some watches to restart unexpectedly. The issue had been reported by multiple users on Reddit and other forums, who described their new watches restarting several times a day.
Apple has opened public beta testing for 27.2 software updates across iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and other platforms, matching the developer beta 2 build released a day earlier. iPadOS 27.2 adds a redesigned Health app with Apple Intelligence-powered Insights and Longevity tabs, Profiles support for the Apple TV app, and an expanded Siri AI feature previously limited to macOS. Users can access the betas via the Software Update section in Settings after opting into beta releases.
After several days testing the Apple Watch Series 12, a reviewer highlights the new S11 chip as a major speed boost, especially noting Siri now runs smoothly under watchOS 27. The device also gains new health complications—Heart Rate, Daily Steps, and Readiness—thanks to an updated Health Sensing System, plus quicker charging that delivers up to 12 hours of battery from just 15 minutes on the charger.
Apple's watchOS 27.2 beta 2, released to developers, brings back the App Switcher feature that had been removed in watchOS 27. Instead of the old double-click of the Digital Crown, users now activate it by pressing and holding the bottom of the screen while inside an app, then turning the crown to scroll through recent apps.
Apple has pushed out the second beta of its 27.2 software updates for developers, just five days after beta 1 arrived. The rollout covers iPadOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and related platforms, following last week's public launch of iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate. Notably, Apple skipped a 27.1 release for most devices, with reports suggesting that version is reserved exclusively for the rumored iPhone Duo.
Apple's newly released Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 do not appear on the supported hardware list for the handwashing detection and timer feature, even though the feature remains active in watchOS 27 and Apple Health on older models like Series 11 and Ultra 3. It's unclear whether this is an intentional hardware limitation or simply an oversight in Apple's documentation.
Days after pushing watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and related updates to the public, Apple has begun testing the next round: developer beta 1 for watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, and other platforms. This move bypasses the widely anticipated 27.1 releases, which Apple had said would arrive in October alongside the iPhone Duo launch.
iOS 27 adds a small feature to the Phone app that displays a festive fireworks banner animation when a user calls a contact whose birthday is saved in Contacts. The detail, spotted by an X user, mirrors an animation Apple already uses on Apple Watch's midnight birthday notifications and New Year's celebrations.
Apple's watchOS 27 introduces a Siri app with chat history, matching similar updates on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, unlike those versions, the Apple Watch interface doesn't offer an obvious way to continue a previous conversation from within the app.
Apple has removed the double-click Digital Crown shortcut that let users instantly jump between apps on Apple Watch in watchOS 27. The company reassigned that same gesture to trigger Live Rewind, a new Audio Intelligence feature that generates a 15-second transcript of recent spoken audio, but Live Rewind only works on the upcoming Series 12 and Ultra 4 hardware.
Apple has introduced a Readiness app exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, powered by an upgraded Health Sensing System with new optical and electrical sensors. The app assigns a 0-10 score categorized into four tiers—Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, and Go For It—based on activity, sleep, and vitals data. The feature will not be available on older Apple Watch models, including Series 11 and Ultra 3, even after updating to watchOS 27.
Apple has begun rolling out watchOS 27, which requires iOS 27 to install via the iPhone Watch app. The update brings a fully capable Siri AI assistant matching the version on iPhone and Mac, a new Siri watch face, a Tap gesture, and additional health features, along with general performance improvements. Notably, the update drops support for several older models including the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, Series 6, 7, 8, and the second-generation SE.